The February 2024 StoryWalk® at Porter Memorial Library in Machias will feature the beloved children’s book The Mitten by Jan Brett. This charming children's book tells the story of a lost mitten that becomes a cozy shelter for various woodland animals. As the mitten stretches to accommodate more creatures, the tale explores themes of kindness, sharing, and the interconnectedness of nature in a delightful and visually rich narrative. 

By Paul Sylvain

When you think of winter storms in Downeast Maine, most people think of a good, old-fashioned nor'easter with a foot or two of snow and telephone pole-high drifts. But as Mother Nature proved last week, the destructive might and power of winter storms can come in many different forms.

The Washington County coast was assaulted last week by the full brunt of two such storms three days apart. The first arrived on Jan. 10 and the second on Jan. 13. They could have been named Winter Storm “Peat” and “Repeat”. 

By Will Tuell

By Wayne Smith

Johnny Brooks Jr. of Steuben brought some of the best musical talent to the stage at The Franklin Vets Club recently to raise $3,700 for the Machias Veterans Home activities fund. The music was amazing, and for many, including several residents from the home itself, the “Johnny Dream Show” came true. 

by Nancy Beal

An effort to bring together and benefit people recovering from substance use disorder and folks willing to hire them will soon be launched in Washington County. The effort, led by the Sunrise County Economic Council, will be known as the Recovery Friendly Workplace Network. It is designed to benefit prospective employees, their employers, and, by extension, the community beyond.

By Paul Sylvain

It wasn’t that long ago that the working relationship between the Machias Police Department and town officials was contentious at best. Selectboard meetings with past police chiefs and former board members were often confrontational and punctuated by fiery exchanges between both sides.

The Machias community at large was usually supportive of whoever the chief and the department’s officers were at the time; however, the same could not be said of the selectmen. 

The first baby born in 2024 at Down East Community Hospital in Machias arrived at 6:02 a.m, Sunday, Jan. 14.

Pierce Pineo, third son of Colin and Karmen Pineo of Jonesboro, weighed in at 9 lbs, 1 oz. and measured 21 inches.

This healthy, beautiful baby boy is the little brother of Bentlee, age 5, and Kiegan, age 2.

By Suzie O’Clair 

By Paul Sylvain

There was a chorus of excited “oohs” and “ahs” heard in Elm Street School’s music room on Jan. 8. However the students’ awestruck reaction had nothing to do with music and everything to do with meeting exotic critters that turned the school’s music room into a makeshift zoo for the day.

Chief Says: ‘We’re Coming For You.’

By Paul Sylvain

In the wake of the latest drug bust on Dec. 30, Machias Police Chief Keith Mercier and his department are on a mission to rid the Shiretown of traffickers in illegal drugs. According to the chief, it’s no longer a question of if you’ll be arrested, but when.